Green Initiatives at Yankee Stadium

Listed below are some of the ecologically intelligent measures being taken at Yankee Stadium to help promote a sustainable environment.

Stadium Construction

The structural steel used in construction of Yankee Stadium was fabricated from recycled material, and the concrete forms were reusable. Used recycled concrete aggregate was incorporated into the concrete design mix. All construction vehicles and equipment were required to use low-sulfur fuel. During construction, 75 percent of construction waste was diverted from landfills. In addition, Yankee Stadium uses high-performance filters and a regular replacement program to ensure particle removal effectiveness of MERV 13 or greater, for better air quality and energy efficiency in our HVAC system.

Sports Lighting

Prior to the 2016 Major League Baseball season, the Yankees installed light-emitting diode (LED) field lighting at Yankee Stadium, becoming just the second MLB stadium to use the state-of-the-art energy-efficient lighting system. These LED lights are 40% more efficient and 50% brighter than the previous field lighting at Yankee Stadium. Increased Color Temperature of the light produced results in higher contrast, improving reaction time, alertness and visual acuity. Improved Color Rendering provides the truest colors the human eye can see. Reduced Flicker Rate means the lighting can now support UHD Ultra Slow Motion filming. Improved optical design with twice the aiming points reduces glare and light pollution. The energy saved from the new field lighting is enough to power about 45 homes every day.

Composting and Recycling

Disposable cutlery and food-service packaging, including trays, boxes, plates and cups, are made of compostable materials instead of petroleum-based plastics. Food waste is composted and not landfilled, and cardboard, glass, metal, plastics and paper are recycled. Through the overall efforts of fans and Stadium staff, approximately 85 percent of the Stadium's total trash is diverted away from landfills. The use of trash compactors at Yankee Stadium improves air quality by requiring fewer trash packer trucks on the road. The trucks that are required to haul our waste use Ultra Low Sulfur diesel which produces less emissions into the air.

Waste Cooking Oil

During the course of a typical season, more than 20,000 gallons of cooking oil from the Stadium are collected and recycled. This oil produces more than 18,600 gallons of biodiesel fuel, which when used in vehicles results in a carbon reduction of more than 30,000 pounds-the equivalent of removing approximately 27 cars from the road for a year.

Natural Cooling

The Great Hall at Yankee Stadium is a 31,000 square-foot space spanning from Gate 4 to Gate 6, through which the majority of guests arrive. By building this area with massive open-air archways that allow for natural cooling and ventilation, the space does not require air conditioning. The energy savings per game is approximately the same as 125 New York City apartments shutting off their air-conditioning for a summer day.

Water Conservation

Each year, Yankee Stadium's plumbing fixtures save about 3.1 million gallons of water while reducing the Stadium's water consumption by 22 percent.

Building Control & Automation Technology

The different systems used to operate Yankee Stadium are calibrated to specific usage patterns, reducing the power consumption of lighting and ventilation systems when they're not needed.

Mass Transportation

Yankee Stadium, located within close proximity of the subway, Metro-North, buses and other mass transportation systems, has better access to mass transit than almost any other stadium in Major League Baseball. Guests and employees are encouraged to use public transportation in order to reduce the number of cars on the road and their resultant CO2 emissions.

Carbon Offsetting Program

Through Hess Energy's C-Neutral carbon offsetting program, Yankee Stadium is able to compensate for its greenhouse gas emissions by investing in sustainability projects across the country and around the world. These projects can range from the development of renewable energy sources and energy-efficiency technologies to agricultural and reforestation initiatives. As a result, Yankee Stadium is a low-carbon-impact venue.

Sustainable Facility Program

This overall Stadium management program ensures that the Yankees are maximizing the efficiency of all equipment used at the Stadium while focusing on energy-use reduction at the same time.

Renewable Energy Certificates

Since opening the current Yankee Stadium in 2009, the Yankees (with the help of Hess Energy) have used renewable energy certificates (RECs) to meet 100% of the Stadium's purchased energy needs. RECs allow any customer, anywhere in the country, to support renewable energy generation. For every REC purchased, one megawatt-hour (MWh, or 1000 kilowatt-hours) of renewable electricity is generated and delivered to the power grid. When you buy an REC, you are investing in the future development of renewable energy sources, and making a commitment to support greener sources of power.